PAST EVENTS 2026
MOST RECENT FIRST
Dubuque Audubon March Program
Voyage to the Bottom of the World
Thursday, 3/12/26
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
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In December of 2014, Ty Smedes spent almost a month exploring the southern reaches of the globe on the Expedition ship Ortelius. The first stop was the Falkland Islands, the site of the largest Black-browed Albatross colony in the world, numbering 220,000 breeding pairs. In addition, Rockhopper Penguin pairs were breeding in various places among the albatross.
Next stop was South Georgia Island, the diamond in the Southern Ocean’s crown jewels of Sub-Antarctic islands, a spectacular glaciated landscape home to some of the greatest wildlife densities found anywhere on earth. Ty will take us ashore to visit the huge Fur Seal Colonies and to witness the titanic struggle between bull Elephant Seals, each battling to become beach-master. We will visit King Penguin colonies numbering 335,000 pairs or more. We’ll see and hear their struggles to survive in a challenging climate, where some of the roughest seas in the world meet. This island, just 100 miles long and with 100 million birds, is the most wildlife-rich island on the planet!
Along the Antarctic Peninsula, we will visit dazzling blue icebergs in shapes that defy the imagination. This stunning landscape hosts several penguin species and the leopard seals that hunt them – framed by a backdrop of endless glaciers and spectacular mountain scenics.
Join us for this educational and visually stunning presentation about this beautiful and wildlife-rich part of the world.
Ty Smedes is an accomplished and internationally recognized photographer. He has been featured by the Iowa DNR, numerous magazines, has published several books, and leads international photo tours. In his words, “My ultimate goal is to help others enjoy, appreciate , and value our often fragile and threatened natural eco-systems and natural heritage.”
Sponsor: Dubuque Area Land and Water Legacy
Paul Johnson and Land Conservation in Iowa: Author Talk with Curt Meine
Wednesday, 3/11/26
6:30 – 8 PM @ Carnegie-Stout Public Library
Facebook Event Listing
© Marty Corfman
Dubuque Audubon Annual Duck Waddle
Saturday, 3/7/26
(a week earlier than usual)
Green Island Wildlife Management Area
located in Jackson County, IA
Join us on our annual trip to Green Island Wildlife Management Area in Jackson County to observe migrating waterfowl! Green Island is one of Iowa’s largest wetland complexes and attracts thousands of ducks, geese, cranes, and other aquatic-based birds each March. Audubon guides will be on hand to help identify the numerous species. Binoculars are recommended.
To carpool from Dubuque, meet in the parking lot of EB Lyons Interpretive Center at 8991 Bellevue Heights Rd, Dubuque (View Map) at 6:00 AM.
Otherwise you can meet the group at Green Island in the big parking lot (View Map) between 6:45 and 7:00 AM. Note that this is a different location from last year.
To avoid having the earliest arrivals scare off the birds, we ask that all please remain in vehicles upon arrival, to await direction from one of the Audubon guides.
Normally the trip lasts most of the morning, and for those that wish, we end by going out for breakfast/lunch.
Great Backyard Bird Count
Each February, the world joins in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) to report bird observations, in order to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world!
This year’s GBBC is February 13-16 (Friday – Monday). To participate, spend at least 15 minutes watching birds during the 4 days of the GBBC and report your birds using Merlin (mobile app) or eBird (mobile app or website).
There is no need to sign up. If you already report birds using Merlin or eBird, just keep doing what you’re doing; any birds reported over these 4 days count toward GBBC.
The GBBC website has full details on the count and how to participate.
Pop-up Event
Guided Birding Hike
Saturday, 2/14/26
11-12 AM
Swiss Valley Nature Center
13606 Swiss Valley Road
Peosta, IA 52068
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Pop-up Education
Want more help with Merlin or eBird?
For in-person instruction on the Merlin or eBird apps (and an explanation of the difference), Mary Leigh could be available at 10 AM on Friday and/or Saturday morning at Swiss Valley Nature Center, but she’ll only be there each morning if at least one person signs up for that morning!
Participants would need to bring a smartphone in order to use either of the apps. We’ll include some birdwatching at the feeders while trying out the mobile apps.
Swiss Valley Nature Center
13606 Swiss Valley Road
Peosta, IA 52068
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Note: eBird has a website in addition to a mobile app. Mary will bring a laptop to show that option as well depending on interest, but we will plan to focus on the mobile apps.
Dubuque Audubon February Program
What’s New at Green Island and Other Local Wildlife Management Areas
Thursday, 2/12/26
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
View Map
Our speaker will be Nick McClimon, who is the Iowa DNR Wildlife Management Biologist for our district. His program will feature an update on Green Island and other DNR wildlife management areas near us.
Hosts: Clinton County Conservation, Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge, and Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge
42nd Annual Bald Eagle Watch 1/31/26
Eagle Watching @ Lock #13, Fulton, IL
Exhibits and Educational Programs @ Clinton Community College, Clinton, IA
Facebook Event Listing
Dubuque Audubon January Program
Let’s Talk About the River
A Community Meeting with Big River Magazine and the Dubuque Audubon Society
Thursday, 1/8/26
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
View Map
Our speaker will be Reggie McLeod, editor and publisher of Big River Magazine. He will be joined by several other members of the Big River crew to talk about the river, river issues, and the future of the magazine. We hope that you will share your river stories and concerns, as well as feedback regarding Big River Magazine.
There will be door prizes, snacks, and maybe a story or two. Perhaps you’ll bring a story to tell.
A recording of our 1/8/26 Let’s Talk About the River – A Community Meeting with Big River Magazine and the Dubuque Audubon Society program is available.